Question

The metal which produces hydrogen gas on reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid as well as sodium hydroxide solution is

• A. Copper
• B. Iron
• C. Aluminum
• D. Sodium

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Aluminum

Explanation for correct option:

C. Aluminum

Reaction of Aluminum with hydrochloric acid:

• When Aluminum reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, it forms aluminum chlroide$\left({\mathrm{AlCl}}_3\right)$ and hydrogen gas$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ is liberated.
• The chemical reaction can be depcited as:

$2\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+6\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{AlCl}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+3{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Reaction of Aluminum with sodium hydroxide:

• When aluminum reacts with sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$ solution, it forms sodium aluminate$\left({\mathrm{NaAlO}}_2\right)$ and hydrogen gas$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ is liberated.
• The chemical reaction can be depicted as:

$2\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{NaAlO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Thus, Aluminium metal produces hydrogen gas in reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid as well as sodium hydroxide solution.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Metals such as Copper, iron as well as sodium do not produce hydrogen gas when react with both acid as well as a base. Thus options A, B, and D are incorrect.

Hence, the correct option is C i.e. Aluminium.